Energy efficiency is increasingly valued at all scales. ESOS has brought awareness, and possibly action, to large organisations. SMEs are increasingly aware of the benefits, from both a cost perspective and a reputational one of managing energy to achieve greater efficiency. The EI’s recently published Energy Barometer report revealed that energy professionals across sectors (on both the demand and supply side) and disciplines value energy efficiency and management and recognise its potential to transform the way energy is consumed.

Among the top concerns that EI members are grappling with in 2016 is of course the low oil price and its impact on investment and decarbonisation, drawing focus from energy demand and efficiency. Despite this competition from low crude oil and transport prices, commercial and domestic energy efficiency are seen as the only low-risk areas for investment across the energy value chain. Efficiency (in buildings, transport and industrial processes) also tops the list for where energy professionals believe investment should be increased. But energy professionals caution that policy stability is imperative to take advantage of this potential, enable investment, and develop the sector. Recent changes to the Green Deal and the Zero Carbon Homes policies are not the signals that are needed. Energy professionals expected a decision to leave the EU to have a negative effect across most of the energy sector, including on improving energy efficiency, and general market uncertainty following the vote on 23 June is indeed affecting investor confidence. This reinforces the need for a new, robust policy framework to encourage investment.

The EI has long been supporting the development of energy management as a profession, promoting good practice and recognising those at the top of their field. A new publication, released in May, is aimed at those who are new to energy management, of which there will be growing numbers as more organisations embed energy management in their strategy and operations. A guide to energy management gives a high-level introduction to the what, why and how of this practice, and is aimed at those considering a new career or anyone who has been asked to take on energy management alongside an existing role. It can also be a useful tool for consultants pitching to senior management teams, helping to make the case for and explain the basics of managing energy in an organisation.

The guide is part of the Energy Essentials series produced by the EI Knowledge Service – foundation-level documents which help to promote knowledge and understanding and make important topics understandable to non-experts. The documents in this series are reviewed extensively by qualified subject specialists under the guidance of the Energy Advisory Panel, which I chair. The guide to energy management serves an important purpose and I hope it makes this field more accessible and easily understood, particularly in those organisations with limited resources or for individuals with little technical background.

Both the Energy Barometer report and our new guide are examples of the EI’s efforts to promote knowledge, share information, and enable informed discussion about energy. Both are also only made possible by the generosity and expertise of our 23,000 members, who never hesitate to put their views and insights to good use. Thank you to the EI College and to our 60 peer-reviewers for your input, which is improving the quality of the debate and hopefully enabling the changes needed to move the industry forward.

Related articles

Rrecent white paper fromNavigant Researchprovides a far-reaching view of the connectivity needs of electric utilities, exploring approaches and technologies, with case studies of projects designed to develop an Energy Superhighway.
Over the last decade, with the advent of smart grid technology, utilities have been prompted to invest in a wide array of networking technologies for a variety of purposes, including advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), distribution substation and feeder automation, and other...

With an ongoing focus on energy and carbon management and cutting costs, the FMCG sector has a need to achieve energy savings, and refrigeration and chilling is the perfect place to focus.
Whether it be manufacturing processes, food storage in distribution centres, or the operation of supermarket displays, industry producers, distributors and retailers can often expect around 50% of their site’s electricity costs to be from the use of refrigeration technology. In food transportation, the use of on-board...

The UK’s Central Laser Facility (CLF), part of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), has recently developed an advanced high-powered laser, created to help research and development in the scientific community. CLF was tasked with developing a laser system for the HiLASE research facility, and Tessella (an international analytics and data science consulting services company) joined the project to create and build bespoke software to enable control of the laser. Through innovative design...

Rely on Dynamic Air Quality Solutions to help make your building energy efficient and environmentally responsible. Dynamic can help you reduce risk and make the most of your investment by creating and sustaining high performance buildings.
Indoor Air Quality
Temperature, humidity, cleanliness, odors and noise are all aspects of Indoor Air Quality that impact people, processes and productivity. Dynamic Air Quality Solutions has the experts to help you create the best possible Indoor Air Quality. Temperature,...

Mary Powell, CEO, is leading Green Mountain Power to be a positive force for change, taking the path of lower cost, clean energy. “I am driven to make things better and am not afraid of doing things differently and taking risks,” she tells BioCycle.Mary Powell, is a Keynote Speaker at BioCycle REFOR15, October 19-22, 2015, Boston, MA
Mary Powell is the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Green Mountain Power based in Colchester, Vermont. Prior to becoming CEO in 2008, she was the Chief...

Customer comments

No comments were found for Moving energy management forward. Be the first to comment!